Hiring a Cook Was the Money-Saving Hack My Family Needed

After moving from New York City to London, I got pregnant, and five months ago, my son entered the world.

As a lawyer with a Type A personality who is used to hustle, I fully expected to make the most of my time during maternity leave.

I envisioned cooking nutritious meals from scratch, taking long strolls through London parks with my newborn nestled against me, and embracing the domestic life I’d put on hold during years of legal briefs and client meetings.

The reality, however, was far from that.

My aspirations crumbled

Week after week, the groceries I diligently purchased would wither away untouched while my husband and I reached for our phones to order yet another round of expensive takeout.

Between the sleepless nights, constant feedings, and the overall adjustment to motherhood in a new country, my culinary aspirations quickly crumbled.

The breaking point came when I calculated our monthly food expenses, which were averaging about $670 on takeout. The combination of wasted groceries and excessive delivery orders felt like a burden on our bank account.

Plus, I felt lethargic, was struggling to lose excess baby weight, and never felt full. Since I was breastfeeding my son, I knew that my diet was instrumental in his getting the right nutrients.

Something had to change.

I hired a cook

The solution appeared in the most unexpected of places: Facebook. A friend in our area had recommended the Facebook group “Indians in Watford,” where I found a local cook available for a reasonable $15 per hour.

She came with stellar reviews from other families. I messaged her to arrange a phone call and instantly felt aspects of my upbringing, and glimpses of my mom, in her.

She now comes to our home twice a week, prepping breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the full work week.

The $90 weekly investment it costs us has been absolutely transformative.

Food is no longer something I fret over

She’s well-versed in many cuisines, including Indian, Thai, Indo-Chinese, Italian, and Mediterranean.

Breakfasts include chia puddings, tofu scrambles, freshly baked croissants, and cut fruits. Lunches are usually different chilis, stir fries, Indian curries like chickpeas, vegetables, or paneer, and casseroles.

There was an initial trial-and-error period where we asked her to make meals spicier, avoid certain curries like okra and green beans, and cut down on the salt. Now, the meals are exactly how we prefer.

It requires zero mental effort from me, and food is no longer something my husband and I fret over. On the weekends, we take turns cooking and allow ourselves some takeout as a treat or a meal out if our son’s sleep schedule allows.

Our food expenses have significantly decreased, and I have more physical and mental energy

Now, our monthly food expenses average about $270.

As an unexpected bonus, her nutritious, portion-controlled meals have me feeling more energized and a step closer to fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes.

I initially felt a lot of guilt in outsourcing cooking, especially because of my pre-baby vision of what maternity leave “should” look like. Eventually, though, I was forced to acknowledge my limitations.

In the corporate world, I’d learned to delegate effectively. Why not apply the same principle to motherhood?

Without having to prepare meals or do the post-cooking cleaning, I have extra time to bond with my baby and the mental space to enjoy this precious new chapter of life in London.

What I initially viewed as an indulgence turned out to be the smartest financial and wellness decision we could have made. We’ve also hired her to clean our home and occasionally look after my son if I need an hour break to go for a solo walk or take a meeting.

What I’ve learned is that sometimes the best life hack isn’t doing everything yourself, but finding the right help at the right time.